Estate Sales Tricks of The Trade

Estate Sales Trade Tips

Estate Sales Trade Tips from Valetta Ciarla

Negotiate your credit card fees: No matter which bank you use, call them today and ask them for a better rate. I called Square and reduced our rate from 2.75% down to 2.35%.
Coupons: Going to get supplies? STOP! Check the web for discount coupons. I recently printed a 15% off coupon from Staples, and have been doing this for the last 3 months.
Costume Jewelry: Display all your Costume Jewelry nicely in a basket (not a box) and for your high-end costume jewelry take an old frame, insert screen material (Yes, like the type you put in a window) hang it on a wall, then clip all of your higher end costume jewelry on it, and watch it fly out the door!
Photos: Crop all of your photos into squares. By having them as squares, it’s easier for your potential customers to easily scroll through them on your website and get excited about your sale!
Change: Constantly running out of Quarters, Dimes, Nickels & Pennies? Buy a pickle jar at your next sale and fill it on a constant basis. I keep mine in my closet and all my spare change goes in there at night. When estate sale time comes around, I don’t worry about change as I always have some.

Estate Sales Trade Tips from Rachel Fitch

If you put tablecloths on your tables for display, make sure that the floor under the table can be seen. You can used the floor space for display.
Make SOLD TAGS that are printed with your name, website, and contact number on them.
Add .50¢ or more to every item in your sale. Example, $5.50 or $35.50, or $1495.50. You will automatically add several hundred dollars to your sale total.
If you have a horrible smell in the home (cats, dogs, smoke, etc.), you can cover it with Patchouli and Lavender Oil. Works wonders. Simply place paper towels in the corners of rooms and put oil drops on them.
If you have two people arguing over the same item, you can resolve the issue with heads or tails and it can change the vibe. And then give the loser a $20 gift certificate. Everybody wins.

Estate Sales Trade Tips from Martin Codina

Though your business may be a family business, or a “Mom and Pop” this does not relieve you of the responsibility to offer a professional estate sales service.
Following the letter of the law, local or otherwise, is to act ethically on behalf of your client.
Develop a strong research data base, and never be afraid to pay others for their expert opinions.
Many customers won’t come to your sale, if they can’t see what you are offering. Take and post as many high quality photos of your sales as is possible.
You serve two opposing agendas, a client who wants the most income, and a customer who wants to pay the least - become great at effective negotiating.